The Right Way to Join Plastic Pipe

Both PVC and ABS plastic pipe are so easy to work with that they're often slapped together without much thought. Are you sure you're joining them correctly?

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Both PVC (which is white in color) and ABS (black) pipes are code approved. The choice between them is generally a regional preference. While plastic pipe is so easy to work with that it’s often slapped together without much thought, there’s more to it than meets the eye. One of the main steps that’s often ignored is beveling the ends of the pipe inside and out. The inside bevel eliminates sharp edges that could snag debris; beveling the outside is important to streamline assembly and ensure leak-free joints. Plastic pipe joints are solvent-welded, and beveling the outside of the pipe also prevents misalignment in this final step. For step-by-step instructions for cutting and joining plastic pipe, check out “Building Skills” in FHB issue #273.